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Picture Book Matchmaker

A Virtual Literary Speed Dating event

Have a picture book manuscript or illustration portfolio you’d like to get in front of publishers and agents? This new event gives picture book authors, author-illustrators, and ASA Style File illustrators a unique six-minute opportunity to pitch their work to Australian publishers and agents, and forge connections with key book industry professionals.

The picture book market is highly competitive because, due to the size of the market, publishers only publish a limited number of Australian picture books each year. In a tough market it is vital to ensure publishers and agents can find the kinds of creators they are actively seeking for their lists. That’s why, incorporating feedback from publishers and creators, we’ve created this new pitching event specifically designed to help picture book authors, author-illustrators, and ASA Style File illustrators make meaningful connections in the industry for potential future work. 

Key dates for 2025 event

Attending publishers and agents announced

3 June 2025, 10am AEST

ASA Style File members invited to apply

9 June 2025

Booking applications open

10 June 2025, 10am AEST

Booking applications close

23 June 2025, 12pm AEST

Booking offers issued

Week of 16 July 2025

Booking cancellation cut-off

23 July 2025, 5pm AEST

Picture Book Matchmaker Day One

30 July 2025

Picture Book Matchmaker Day Two

1 August 2025

 

Want to see the full 2025 Literary Speed Dating calendar? Click here.

What is Picture Book Matchmaker?

Picture Book Matchmaker is a new event in the ASA’s Virtual Literary Speed Dating series which has been designed specifically for picture book creators, including authors, author-illustrators, and ASA Style File illustrators. 

Picture books are a unique format within the book industry, often requiring more intensive collaboration between the publisher, author, and illustrator over a longer period of time. Due to the type and cost of production required to make picture books in Australia, publishers are often limited in the total number they can publish each year.

Our original Virtual Literary Speed Dating event is not best suited to the ways picture book creators, publishers, or agents work. Only two picture book creators have been published through Virtual Literary Speed Dating over the last five years. We heard from disappointed picture book authors who found it challenging to secure a pitch and who expressed how tricky it was to showcase their work in just three minutes. We’ve also heard from many publishers and agents that the format of our original Literary Speed Dating event isn’t right for picture books; the unique relationship between language, story, and imagery requires a presentation different to the straightforward three minute verbal pitch. Publishers want to see flatplans and have the opportunity to ask questions in order to find out about the creators’ background, future potential, and whether they might be someone easy to work with. Additionally, our original Virtual Literary Speed Dating event does not offer an opportunity for illustrators to showcase their portfolios, which are of great interest to publishers and agents.

That’s why we’ve created Picture Book Matchmaker. Developed in consultation with Australian publishing professionals, this event offers picture book creators a unique six-minute opportunity to pitch to Australian children’s publishers and agents and forge connections for potential ongoing collaboration. 

Authors and author-illustrators are welcome to pitch between 1 to 3 manuscripts, while ASA Style File illustrators can share their portfolio of work. This new six-minute format accommodates screen-sharing, ensuring you can showcase your work clearly and effectively. Think of this as more of a first date than speed dating.

“I think it’s terrific that the ASA has changed the speed dating format for picture book creators to show their work to publishers and agents. Because picture book publishers have to be so very selective, and because the creative process can take a long time, authors and illustrators often end up with multiple publishers for different kinds of books.
This new format is a chance for a more holistic approach — writers can potentially present more than one text and illustrators can show a range of work, potentially leading to other illustration opportunities. The extended format also allows for more of an interchange of ideas and the beginning of relationship building which lies at the heart of successful picture book publishing.”
— Erica Wagner

How it works

Our Picture Book Matchmaker events will take place annually and each event will typically be held over two days. This event is exclusive to ASA members, and is open to authors, author-illustrators, and ASA Style File illustrators of children’s picture books.

At each event you have the opportunity to be matched with an attending publisher or agent and meet with them for a six-minute pitch appointment. 

Unlike Virtual Literary Speed Dating, our Picture Book Matchmaker event will have an application process, to ensure that you are paired with the right publisher or agent — this is the ‘matchmaking’ part of the process. 

Booking applications will be assessed by two external assessors with extensive experience in Australian picture book publishing. The criteria for assessment will be the potential for publication, readiness for publication, and whether you and your work are the best fit for the attending publisher or agent.

Pitch appointments are limited at Picture Book Matchmaker, so bookings will be offered only to those creators whose application best fits the assessment criteria. 

Booking offers will be issued via email to the successful applicants. In the event of a booking offer being declined or cancelled, waitlist offers will be emailed to picture book creators shortlisted by the assessors. 

During the six-minute pitch appointment, you have the rare opportunity to pitch your work in a more informal, conversational setting than in the ASA’s Virtual Literary Speed Dating events. All pitch appointments are via Zoom and screen-sharing is accommodated, so you can showcase your materials effectively. The longer appointment length offers increased scope for receiving feedback from, and establishing a rapport with, the publisher or agent.

If the publisher or agent expresses interest in seeing more of your work or keeping in contact with you, we’ll let you know via email one week after the event. This email will detail what material the publisher or agent wants to see from you and how to send your work to them. If you’ve sent the publisher or agent any requested material, they will get back to you within three months.

Do you want to nail your pitch at Picture Book Matchmaker?

Bookings for our two-week Pitch Perfect: Picture Books course are now open! You’ll learn all about the Australian publishing landscape and picture book market, how to make sure your manuscript, project, or illustration portfolio is ready for submission, and how to craft your pitch.

LEARN MORE

How to apply for authors and author-illustrators

By following our booking application instructions and providing us with all the requested information, you’ll give our assessors the details they need to find your potential perfect match among the attending publishers and agents.

  • Check the key dates listed at the top of this page for information about when booking applications will open. Booking applications will remain closed until the listed date and time.
  • Read the terms and conditions for Picture Book Matchmaker prior to lodging your booking application to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and understand the application, assessment, and preparation process.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Make sure you're an ASA member — this event is members-only. Not yet a member? Join us!
BECOME A MEMBER
  • Read the list of attending publishers and agents when it is published here on 3 June 2025 and make sure you understand what they are specifically seeking at this event.
  • Click the 'book now' button to complete your booking application. Depending on which device you are using, it will be located either to the right or the bottom of your screen.

You can attach up to three files totalling a maximum of 20 pages for assessment. These application materials can take the form of a manuscript, written pitch, storyboard, illustrator portfolio, or statement. A total of 1-3 picture book manuscripts can be pitched per appointment, and this must be factored in when compiling your application materials.

  • The booking application fee is $15. This fee covers the cost of external, professional assessment of your application materials.
  • After you have submitted your booking application, you will receive a receipt confirming payment of the application fee.
  • If you are offered a Picture Book Matchmaker pitch booking, you will be notified of the booking offer in the week of 16 July 2025. To confirm your booking, you will be asked to pay the $25 pitch fee.
  • Waitlist offers will also be issued via email from 16-23 July 2025.

How to apply for ASA Style File illustrators

By following our booking application instructions and providing us with all the requested information, you’ll give our assessors the details they need to find your potential perfect match among the attending publishers and agents.

  • Check the key dates listed at the top of this page for information about when booking applications will open for ASA Style File members. Booking applications will remain closed until the listed date and time.
  • Read the terms and conditions for Picture Book Matchmaker prior to lodging your booking application to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and understand the application, assessment, and preparation process.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Read the list of attending publishers and agents when it is published here on 3 June 2025 and make sure you understand what they are specifically seeking at this event.
  • You will be invited to submit an expression of interest in pitching your portfolio via email on 9 June 2025.

You will be provided with a form to complete your application via email, and asked to submit a statement and portfolio via return email. Booking applications for ASA Style File members close on 23 June 2025 at 12pm AEST.

As illustrators featured on the ASA Style File have already been assessed and met a professional standard, portfolio applications from Style File members will be assessed only on suitability for the attending publishers and agents.

  • If you are offered a Picture Book Matchmaker pitch booking, you will be notified of the booking offer in the week of 16 July 2025. To confirm your booking, you will be asked to pay the $25 pitch fee.
  • Waitlist offers will also be issued via email from 16 to 23 July 2025.

Why is there a booking application fee?

As the peak body setting the industry standards for rates of pay, we are committed to the principle of fair remuneration. The booking application fees will be paid to the judging panel for the work of assessing your application.